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    Top Colleges in North Carolina

    Gabriel Jimenez-Ekman Written by Gabriel Jimenez-Ekman
    Gabriel Jimenez-Ekman

    Gabriel Jimenez-Ekman is the Director of Content at Scholarships360. He has written over 300 articles on college admissions, financial aid, and scholarships, in addition to spearheading research projects for Scholarships360's Top Colleges resource. Gabriel graduated from Kenyon College with a degree in sociology.

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    Updated: June 6th, 2024

    It’s no secret that North Carolina has some great options for college. With schools like Duke University, UNC Chapel Hill, and Wake Forest, North Carolina draws in students from all across the country every year. Check out the North Carolina colleges below to find the right fit for you.

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    49 colleges
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    H

    High Point University

    High Point, NC • Private, Non-Profit, City

    High Point University is a private, non-profit 4-year college located in High Point, North Carolina. There are currently 4,965 undergraduates at High Point and the school’s acceptance rate is 79%.…Read More

    High Point University is a private, non-profit 4-year college located…Read More

    79% acceptance
    68% graduation rate
    4,965 undergrads
    $37,285 net price
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    Guilford College

    Greensboro, NC • Private, Non-Profit, City

    Guilford College is a private, non-profit 4-year college located in Greensboro, North Carolina. There are currently 1,022 undergraduates at Guilford and the school’s acceptance rate is 84%. The tuition at…Read More

    Guilford College is a private, non-profit 4-year college located in…Read More

    84% acceptance
    49% graduation rate
    1,022 undergrads
    $23,571 net price

    William Peace University

    Raleigh, NC • Private, Non-Profit, City

    William Peace University is a private, non-profit 4-year college located in Raleigh, North Carolina. There are currently 640 undergraduates at WPU and the school’s acceptance rate is 63%. The tuition…Read More

    William Peace University is a private, non-profit 4-year college located…Read More

    63% acceptance
    43% graduation rate
    640 undergrads
    $23,476 net price

    Pfeiffer University

    Misenheimer, NC • Private, Non-Profit, Rural

    Pfeiffer University is a private, non-profit 4-year college located in Misenheimer, North Carolina. There are currently 683 undergraduates at Pfeiffer and the school’s acceptance rate is 69%. The tuition at…Read More

    Pfeiffer University is a private, non-profit 4-year college located in…Read More

    69% acceptance
    35% graduation rate
    683 undergrads
    $20,874 net price
    D

    Duke University

    Durham, NC • Private, Non-Profit, City

    Top College Top College
    Top College Top College

    Did you know that Duke University is home to the largest lemur sanctuary in the world? What's more, Tim Cook, Mike Posner, and Ken Jeong all graduated from the school.…Read More

    Did you know that Duke University is home to the…Read More

    7% acceptance
    96% graduation rate
    6,417 undergrads
    $34,454 net price
    N

    University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

    Chapel Hill, NC • Public, City, Need-Blind

    Top College Top College, Top Affordability
    Top College Top College
    Top College: Affordability Top College: Affordability

    UNC, located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, is the oldest public university in the United States. Known for its strong programs in public health and journalism, the university boasts notable…Read More

    UNC, located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, is the oldest…Read More

    19% acceptance
    92% graduation rate
    20,556 undergrads
    $12,983 net price
    D

    Davidson College

    Davidson, NC • Private, Non-Profit, Suburb, Need-Blind

    Top College Top College, Top Affordability
    Top College Top College
    Top College: Affordability Top College: Affordability

    With programs like Wildcat Weekend and Davidson Outdoors, Davidson has a thriving student life and rigorous liberal arts academics. Notable alumni include Woodrow Wilson and Steph Curry.

    With programs like Wildcat Weekend and Davidson Outdoors, Davidson has…Read More

    14% acceptance
    92% graduation rate
    1,901 undergrads
    $18,127 net price

    Warren Wilson College

    Swannanoa, NC • Private, Non-Profit, Suburb

    Warren Wilson College is a private, non-profit 4-year college located in Swannanoa, North Carolina. There are currently 697 undergraduates at Warren Wilson and the school’s acceptance rate is 84%. The…Read More

    Warren Wilson College is a private, non-profit 4-year college located…Read More

    84% acceptance
    45% graduation rate
    697 undergrads
    $26,589 net price
    W

    Wake Forest University

    Winston-Salem, NC • Private, Non-Profit, City

    Top College Top College
    Top College Top College

    With an impressively low student:faculty ratio, students receive individualized attention and mentorship from their professors at Wake Forest in NC. Wake Forest's beautiful campus features Reynolda Gardens and Reynolda Village,…Read More

    With an impressively low student:faculty ratio, students receive individualized attention…Read More

    22% acceptance
    91% graduation rate
    5,471 undergrads
    $28,746 net price
    N

    North Carolina State University at Raleigh

    Raleigh, NC • Public, City

    Top College Top College, Top Affordability
    Top College Top College
    Top College: Affordability Top College: Affordability

    North Carolina State University, situated in Raleigh, North Carolina, is a leading public research university known for its strengths in engineering, agriculture, and veterinary medicine. NCSU is part of the…Read More

    North Carolina State University, situated in Raleigh, North Carolina, is…Read More

    40% acceptance
    85% graduation rate
    26,389 undergrads
    $16,931 net price
    A

    Appalachian State University

    Boone, NC • Public, Town

    Top College Top Affordability
    Top College: Affordability Top College: Affordability

    Appalachian State University is a public 4-year college located in Boone, North Carolina. There are currently 19,304 undergraduates at Appalachian State and the school’s acceptance rate is 89%. The tuition…Read More

    Appalachian State University is a public 4-year college located in…Read More

    89% acceptance
    73% graduation rate
    19,304 undergrads
    $16,487 net price
    S

    Salem College

    Winston-Salem, NC • Private, Non-Profit, City

    Salem College, located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, is a private women's liberal arts college with a focus on empowering women through a rigorous education. The college's campus features the 18th-century…Read More

    Salem College, located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, is a private…Read More

    87% acceptance
    56% graduation rate
    390 undergrads
    $18,835 net price
    W

    University of North Carolina Wilmington

    Wilmington, NC • Public, City

    Top College Top Affordability
    Top College: Affordability Top College: Affordability

    University of North Carolina Wilmington is a public 4-year college located in Wilmington, North Carolina. There are currently 14,176 undergraduates at UNCW and the school’s acceptance rate is 74%. The…Read More

    University of North Carolina Wilmington is a public 4-year college…Read More

    74% acceptance
    71% graduation rate
    14,176 undergrads
    $19,472 net price
    A

    University of North Carolina School of the Arts

    Winston Salem, NC • Public, City

    Top College Top Affordability
    Top College: Affordability Top College: Affordability

    University of North Carolina School of the Arts is a public 4-year college located in Winston Salem, North Carolina. There are currently 902 undergraduates at UNCSA and the school’s acceptance…Read More

    University of North Carolina School of the Arts is a…Read More

    33% acceptance
    79% graduation rate
    902 undergrads
    $12,372 net price
    E

    Elon University

    Elon, NC • Private, Non-Profit, Suburb

    Located in Elon, North Carolina, Elon University is recognized for its strong emphasis on experiential learning. Students often engage in internships, study abroad programs, and undergraduate research.

    Located in Elon, North Carolina, Elon University is recognized for…Read More

    67% acceptance
    83% graduation rate
    6,402 undergrads
    $41,048 net price
    C

    University of North Carolina at Charlotte

    Charlotte, NC • Public, City

    Top College Top Affordability
    Top College: Affordability Top College: Affordability

    University of North Carolina at Charlotte is a public 4-year college located in Charlotte, North Carolina. There are currently 23,567 undergraduates at UNC Charlotte and the school’s acceptance rate is…Read More

    University of North Carolina at Charlotte is a public 4-year…Read More

    80% acceptance
    68% graduation rate
    23,567 undergrads
    $14,745 net price
    E

    East Carolina University

    Greenville, NC • Public, City

    East Carolina University is a public 4-year college located in Greenville, North Carolina. There are currently 19,857 undergraduates at ECU and the school’s acceptance rate is 90%. The tuition at…Read More

    East Carolina University is a public 4-year college located in…Read More

    90% acceptance
    62% graduation rate
    19,857 undergrads
    $16,514 net price
    A

    University of North Carolina at Asheville

    Asheville, NC • Public, City

    University of North Carolina at Asheville is a public 4-year college located in Asheville, North Carolina. There are currently 2,790 undergraduates at UNC Asheville and the school’s acceptance rate is…Read More

    University of North Carolina at Asheville is a public 4-year…Read More

    94% acceptance
    55% graduation rate
    2,790 undergrads
    $12,865 net price
    M

    Meredith College

    Raleigh, NC • Private, Non-Profit, City

    Meredith College is a private, non-profit 4-year college located in Raleigh, North Carolina. There are currently 1,288 undergraduates at Meredith and the school’s acceptance rate is 75%. The tuition at…Read More

    Meredith College is a private, non-profit 4-year college located in…Read More

    75% acceptance
    65% graduation rate
    1,288 undergrads
    $20,197 net price
    W

    Western Carolina University

    Cullowhee, NC • Public, Town

    Western Carolina University is a public 4-year college located in Cullowhee, North Carolina. There are currently 9,867 undergraduates at WCU and the school’s acceptance rate is 87%. The tuition at…Read More

    Western Carolina University is a public 4-year college located in…Read More

    87% acceptance
    59% graduation rate
    9,867 undergrads
    $12,579 net price
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    About the Data

    We sort colleges on our lists according to their Scholarships360 Top Colleges Index Score. This score is calculated using up-to-date information taken directly from the College Scorecard. Additional information is sourced from the colleges themselves, as well as other publicly available information. If you see an error, feel free to contact us.

    State Grants in North Carolina

    Most states offer their own state-wide grants to help residents obtain an affordable education. Here are some of the most prominent state-wide grants in North Carolina:

    NC Need-Based Scholarship for Private College Students

    This need-based scholarship calculates eligibility through the FAFSA and subsidizes private school education for North Carolina students who end up attending school in-state.

    NC Scholarship

    North Carolina residents attending a University of North Carolina school can apply for a NC Scholarship if they meet financial need criteria. As long as students meet the criteria for this grant and apply while funds remain, they should receive it; there is no competitive application involved.

    NC Education Lottery Scholarship

    The NC Education Lottery Scholarship offers scholarships to NC residents attending schools in the state. Requirements are not especially strict; undergraduate students who meet Pell Grant requirements and fulfill the Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements of their school are eligible. 

    North Carolina Tuition Reciprocity Agreements

    North Carolina does not participate in undergraduate tuition reciprocity programs, but if you are a graduate student, be sure to look into the Academic Common Market, because the state does participate for graduate programs.

    Other college lists to explore

    Frequently asked questions

    What is the hardest North Carolina college to get into?

    Duke University has the lowest acceptance rate of any college in the state of North Carolina, admitting 6% of admitted students in 2023.

    But this low admission rate should not deter you from applying. Remember, your application can always catch an admissions officer’s eye, and everyone should apply to at least a couple of reach schools!

    Why should I study in North Carolina?

    North Carolina is a great state to attend college if you’re interested in doing research in technology, biotechnology, or healthcare. It’s been a hub of innovation in each of these fields. It’s also a state with amazing natural features and outdoor activities. You can find both beautiful mountains and sandy beaches, all in the same state. The state is also more affordable than states like California and New York, all while being home to some of the most prestigious colleges in the country, like Duke and UNC-Chapel Hill

     

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